The Face of Lupus

has many faces. Today it is my son's.

Jennifer Richardson

The Job Hunt

As many of you know, money has been tight with the high medical bills. Scott and I have both been looking for additional work. The county approved us for help with groceries; praise God! The county denied us though for cash help because our car is worth slightly too much money. Go figure.

Please pray for us! I trust that God will open doors and allow others to remain closed. We need God's blessing and favor.

103 Degrees

Last Thursday, Shawna came down with a fever of 103 degrees or nearly (102.9 to be exact). Within 24 hours the fever broke. We missed the bible study that evening but are so glad our princess is well. No other symptoms and doing fine now.

Joseph's medication for his pulmonary hypertension has been increased. I can't tell if it is helping, but please prayer for him as he gets tired and blue in his lips with activity on and off.
The doctors feel at this point that he is doing well enough that oxygen would not be beneficial, so we will keep an eye on him. He will have a consult with a pulmonary specialist, and I will ask for a device to monitor his oxygen saturation (called O2 sats) at home. Please pray the doctor will prescribe it so insurance will pay for it.

Michael is not doing so good. He has headaches sometimes even with confusion where he seems quite not himself most days. The medication the neurologist gave him does not seem to touch them at all. He will have another followup with neurology. He also is feeling tired, chest pain, and heart palpitations. We are trying to get a referral to cardiology and are waiting for appointments for specialist followups to address his thyroid (endocrinology), growth (endocrinology), joint pain and popping and cracking (rheumatology), and trouble walking (orthopedics). It is moments like this when I wish Dr. House was a real physician. The more labs they do the more things come back abnormal. Michael's albumin is low (2.3 where at least 3.5 to 5.0 is normal). Albumin is the protein part of the blood and is extremely important. It means he is losing protein somewhere either his liver or his kidney. In either case, it is not good and could explain some of the problems he is having. I worry though because the doctors just seem to take their good ol' time. I probably could do better doctoring myself. Pray for us. Michael is a trooper though because he still helps around the house where he can. Very often, Michael sits down with Joseph to help him learn his letters and practices beginning reading with him. Michael is patient with each letter as he says "A makes the a sound" and waits for Joseph to point to the A and repeat before going on to each next letter of the alphabet.

Gabriela is doing very well, continues to be very stable, and is growing into quite a tall young lady. She is only 11 but already 5 feet tall and wears my size shoes. She is quite the help around the house.

Josh is doing well in school and is reading beginner reading books including the Dick and Jane series very well on his own. His laugh is fun and quite contagious when he giggles.

God's Call

The Lord gave me a vision - of children, of a school, of a medical facility - to help those who somehow get stuck in a system that does not work. It is much bigger than I. I have learned that is because it is God's. I cannot make it happen alone. I depend on God's help and faith that each step I make to honor Him in the end helps that vision come to pass. This vision is about becoming selfless about the other person. It is not an easy one to walk. I need volunteers in all areas: marketing and advertising, grant writing, fundraising, finance, business, medical and nursing, education, real estate, spiritual, music and worship, sales, software writing and programming, computer and technical skills and most importantly spiritual prayer warriers. There are no financial benefits, no pay, and no salary. We are a lay Catholic Christian organization. The only benefit at this level of what the world would call a ground floor opportunity is spiritual. Only you know if God is calling you to be involved. If you would like to be involved, please send an email with your name, how you would like to help, how often or how much you can commit each week and when you can start to the email academyofthepossible@gmail.com and your contact information or any other comments you may have. I believe in God's will and God's guidance. God is the center of this mission, journey, path, vision, and business.

This Week's Adventures

For starters, it is obviously hot where we live here in the desert (90's and 100's). Our AC isn't working (again!). We have a couple of celing fans, but that hardly does the trick. So, we regularly water down the kids and ourselves. No kidding. The kids get their faces, necks, and hair wet. We use wash clothes to help keep everyone cool enough. We have one room that always seems to be a couple of degrees cooler than the rest of the house. We aren't the most comfortable, but we are managing. Stores are always a welcome break for THEIR air conditioning. In the evening, we try to cool down the house because it is usually more comfortable outside.

Yesterday, we spent most of the day in the emergency room at St. Joseph's Hospital for Michael and Gabriela.

Gabriela was gifted with roller blades this week, and having a blast skaing on them. She is pretty good too, but took a fall when her skate got caught on a stick. She fell and broke her arm near her wrist chipping the growth plate. Being in a 3/4 arm cast and sling is not so fun. Gabriela is disappointed that she cannot skate for a while.

Michael was kneeling and helping wash the car with his feet under him. When he stood up, his left knee popped instant pain. Now, he cannot put any weight on his leg without it giving out or causing severe pain. He apparently tore a ligament in his knee chipping the bone at the same time. A broken knee is definitely no fun. Michael is in a full leg cast. The hospital was supposed to get a wheelchair for him, but we have as of yet to receive it. We got a call from Apria Healthcare who stated they don't provide wheelchairs for CCS or Medi-Cal.

Scott and I are both looking for more work! Finances are tough. With the current economy, the business is at a crawl.

Shawna, Joseph and Joshua had fun playing in the froggy pool in the heat and made some brilliant mud. They clearly had fun playing in that.

Gabriela has also been doing very well without medication. The psychiatrist is hopeful she will outgrow the Bipolar altogether. Gabriela is also learning to manage her ADHD.

We did get word that some of the kids Medi-Cal was approved. I will be glad to get cards for them. Michael and Joseph also were approved for CCS. Because the fracture on Gabriela is in the growth plate of her wrist, she is also eligible for CCS (so that is pending).

Some things working, others not. We are in the pruning, the proofing and the fire.

A good friend sent us this quote:
'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.' When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.'

Okay Lord! Our hands are WIDE open!

To all our dear friends, we would never make it through all of this without your support. Thank you for ALL your support.

'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'

Jennifer Richardson
www.richardsonstudios.com

Conquering one challenge at a time -

The Lord is good. Our application for CCS (California Children's Services) for Joseph and Michael are finally moving along. We received approval for their medications. What a blessing it was to be able to pick up Joseph's medication for his blood pressure and pulmonary hypertension without worrying about the cost. Also, we were able to pick up Michael's medication for his thyroid as well.


Jennifer Richardson
www.richardsonstudios.com

Gabriela is OFF medication !!!

We have just fabulous news. Gabriela is off her regular daily medication with the blessing of her psychiatrist ! Since starting puberty, she has really changed and made progress. Her moods are much more stable, the mood changes related to the Bipolar have evened out and she is calmer overall as well. Only time will tell if she will be lucky enough to outgrow this. We are hoping that it was immature hormones causing the physical problems. Gabriela is still a very strong and determined child, but is much better on a daily basis. We have medication to help her as needed but the frequency of how often she needs that medication has decreased dramatically. We still follow with the psychiatrist as needed. She is really getting quite tall as well. I would not be surprised at all if Gabriela got close to or broke 6 feet. At 11 years old, she is already almost as tall as me by mere inches and wears a size 8 women's shoe. I am 5'2".

Praise God in his infinite mercy.
Jennifer Richardson
www.richardsonstudios.com

Hot Hot Hot

The weather has been staggeringly hot. At 4:00 pm today, it was still 105 degrees F. We have had to keep our AC off because of bills but also because it just won't cool the house down. For whatever the reason, it just does not seem to be able to handle the heat. We have taken to getting the kids wet (face, hands, back of their neck) to help keep them cool.

Jennifer Richardson
www.richardsonstudios.com

BSN

Because of many reasons, one being the ability to keep and get work, I am finishing my Bachelor's Degree. Although I thought I would NEVER EVER say this, I am completing my Bachelor's Degree in Nursing in order to keep my options open becoming a Nurse Practitioner in the future. It is weird for sure because I have always had conflicting feelings about being a nurse, although I am glad for the people I do help.

So, here's the thing:

In class an interesting topic about nurse practitioners and physicians and licensure and titles came up. Chiropractors are called Dr's. Psychologists and professors who hold pHD's are called Dr.'s. Physician's Assistants are also often called Dr. Physician's are called Dr.'s. A physician who is a GP and Nurse Practitioners who hold doctorates have the same level of education, must both pass license exams, and both have the ability to diagnose, treat, and prescribe. Even though a Nurse Practitioner is also a Registered Nurse, should a Nurse Practitioner who holds a doctorate also be called a Dr.? She would obviously had earned the right for the title by all the licensing and education she completed. PA's don't clarify that they are PA's very often, but are still given the courtesy of being called a Dr. My personal opinion is yes an NP with a Doctorate in Nursing has earned the right to the title "Dr."! When MD's specialize, they have lots of letters after their names. When an RN advances her nursing practice, she or he too earns additional letters after her name such as RN, DSN, NP.

What is yours?

Medical Update on Michael

Please keep Michael in prayers as well. Michael has had some quite serious headaches with throwing up and the whole bit. We pray for the same healing and miracles in our lives and the same Our Father is lifted up to heaven.
--Jennifer Richardson
www.richardsonstudios.com
www.academyofthepossible.com

Medical Update on Joseph

Please keep Joseph in prayers. With the complication of the pulmonary hypertension, Joseph is having pain with breathing. We are praying for God's healing power and miracles in our lives.
--Jennifer Richardson
www.richardsonstudios.com
www.academyofthepossible.com


Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name,
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
Amen.

Birthdays

Okay, so everyone has had their birthdays this year. Phew! Now the kids ages are Michael 13, Gabriela 11, Joseph 8, Joshua 6, and Shawna 3. Yeah!!

A horsey that walks

Shawna, our beloved 3 year old, has fallen in love with animals, horses in particular. First, it was the desire for a rocking horse. Next it was why that was taking so long for Santa Claus. Then, she wanted to pet a horse. Then, she wanted to ride a horsey that walks. Now, Shawna has asked me "Mommy, when you have a lot of money, will you buy me my own horsey that walks so I can keep it?" Oh dear. We got the rocking horse. She's petted the real thing too. Maybe we will just work on a pony ride next.

2 Cor 5:14-21

So we present ourselves as ambassadors in the name of Christ, as if God himself makes an appeal to you through us. Let God reconcile you; this we ask you in the name of Christ. He had no sin, but God made him bear our sin, so that in him we might share the holiness of God.

Do it afraid!

"Giving in to fear alters God's best plan for your life. So use the power of God's Word to do what He wants you to do...even if you have to do it afraid! The rewards are great. " Joyce Meyer

http://www.joycemeyer.org/OurMinistries/EverydayAnswers/Articles/art42.htm

Don't drink and drive. It is completely not worth it. It only takes one poor choice to change lives completely. Read more about Jacqui's story at http://www.helpjacqui.com/home.htm

God bless you, and Be Safe!
Jennifer Richardson
www.richardsonstudios.com
www.academyofthepossible.com

Please consider giving. Your donation helps lives.

Happy Birthday Reminders

Just a reminder of the birthdays coming up this month:

Joseph celebrates his 8th birthday on June 11 !
(Joseph has been asking about his birthday since February. Can you tell he is so excited?)

Diana celebrates her birthday on June 11 !

Love you all,

Jennifer

Give to Charity - Bring a Bag of Food

At our church, there is a ministry which helps to feed families in our parish who are struggling and in need whatever the reason. This year has been a huge increase in the number of hungry families. Our church feeds approximately 54 families a day!! That is a huge increase over last year (sorry I do no have the statistic). We collected food from our community and because of the generosity of other families we were able to donate 4 bags of food to our church and feed 3 families on our own street. In doing this, we have met wonderful neighbors and gained some very nice friends (Kathy, Frank, Mary, the people next door).

Consider this. Go into your pantry. Pull out an extra box of food, some cans, some bread, vegetables, fruit, tuna, noodles, etc. Be sure they are not expired. Not even poor families want food poisoning. Put it all in a bag, and take it over to your church. Or bless a neighbor. You never know just how much someone may be struggling, and your generosity may be the only meal they get that day. Non-perishables are easier for food ministries to store. Canned goods with pop tops are nice for the homeless person who has no can opener. Protein, vegetables, fruit and variety are the first things to go when a family cannot afford groceries. Bulk and cheap become primary staples such as mac and cheese, bread or ramen etc.

If your church does not take food donations, look up local churches in the yellow pages. There are many that do, and probably one that is close to you.

If donating money is easier, please consider a donation to Richardson Studios. We would be honored to buy food and bring it to Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Riverside or give it to a needy family in your honor.

God bless you,
Jennifer Richardson
www.richardsonstudios.com
www.academyofthepossible.com

"Everyone, without exception is special in that they have a unique gift to contribute to the world that is not duplicated by anyone else. And identifying that special gift is probably the most important thing you’ll ever do in your life. Because only by knowing and contributing your gift will you reinforce the conviction that you are special. You are never ordinary. You won’t try and copy someone else’s gift. You’ll be uniquely you. You won’t get depressed in feeling that your life is meaningless and worthless. On the contrary, you’ll go through life confident that your presence on this earth enhances your surroundings and that without you your family, friends, and acquaintances will all be impoverished. Few of us these days are as happy as we should be, and even the happiness we experience often comes from the wrong things like materialism and going to the movies. You are G-d’s original. There is none like you. Stop comparing yourself to everyone else. Live life authentically and sincerely and never, ever compromise your unique gift."

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, May 22, 2009
http://www.shmuley.com/articles/details/rabbi_shmuleys_blog_-_22nd_may_2009/

"No one should have to learn or work in a hostile environment. Life these days is stressful enough outside work without the added stress of going to work. No one should dread going to work because they are wondering what they are going to get 'yelled' at for today. " Lorraine Overall RN